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401(k) Contribution Limits 2026 Cheat Sheet

Complete 2026 401(k) contribution limits including employee deferrals, catch-up contributions, employer match rules, and total annual limits.

2026 Employee Contribution Limits

Item	Value	Notes
Under age 50	$23,500	Employee deferral limit
Age 50–59	$31,000	$23,500 + $7,500 catch-up
Age 60–63	$34,750	$23,500 + $11,250 super catch-up
Age 64+	$31,000	$23,500 + $7,500 standard catch-up
Roth 401(k)	Same limits	After-tax contributions, tax-free growth

Item	Value	Notes
Under age 50	$70,000	Employee + employer + after-tax
Age 50–59	$77,500	Includes standard catch-up
Age 60–63	$81,250	Includes super catch-up
Age 64+	$77,500	Standard catch-up
Compensation limit	$350,000	Max salary used for contribution %

Item	Value	Notes
Common match formula	50% of first 6%	Employer contributes 3% of salary
Generous match	100% of first 6%	Employer contributes 6% of salary
Vesting (cliff)	0% until vested	Typically 3 years
Vesting (graded)	20% per year	Fully vested in 5–6 years
Immediate vesting	100% from day one	Your contributions always 100% vested

Item	Value	Notes
Age 59½+	No penalty	Ordinary income tax applies
Before 59½	10% early penalty	Plus ordinary income tax
Rule of 55	No penalty if separated	Left employer at 55+ (current plan only)
72(t) distributions	No penalty	Substantially equal periodic payments
RMDs start	Age 73 (Traditional)	Roth 401(k): no RMDs if rolled to Roth IRA
Hardship withdrawal	Penalty may be waived	Must show immediate financial need

Item	Value	Notes
Always get full match	Priority #1	It's free money — 50–100% instant return
Traditional vs Roth	Compare tax rates	Roth if you expect higher future taxes
Mega backdoor Roth	After-tax → Roth	Check if plan allows in-service conversions
Auto-escalation	Increase 1% per year	Painless way to max out over time
Target-date funds	Set-and-forget option	Auto-rebalances as you age

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